Bash returned to his own chambers after several long minutes of waiting quietly behind the panel door. He did not want to be discovered by the pair in the corridor. He certainly did not need to be questioned why he himself was out so late.
He pushed open the doors and walked from the antechamber into the main bedroom. Kenna was undressing before him. She had not seen him enter the room, her back was to him. She masterfully undid her own corset and slipped on her cotton nightgown. Bash did not question the fact that she was out as late as he, Kenna often had trouble sleeping. He walked up behind her and gently touched her shoulder.
She squealed and jumped around, her eyes wide as a spooked deer. Once she saw that it was only Bash, she relaxed. Kenna ran a shaking hand through her hair.
"Bash… I do not appreciate being startled." she said and a smile slowly appeared across her lips.
Sebastian reached over and took her quavering hand into his own. He rubbed small circles in the palm of her hand. Kenna studied Bash as he did so.
"I am sorry." was all he said.
Kenna tossed her hair over her shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. Bash stiffened, but she did not seem to notice. She pressed herself against him and he smelled the strong spice of her perfume. It was so unlike Mary's soft and rosy scent. Kenna's aroma was overpowering.
She got up on her tip-toes and pressed her lips against his, attempting to tease his mouth open. Bash closed his eyes and Kenna's hands began to travel down his chest. Her lips left his mouth and she grazed his ear with her teeth.
Bash's eyes shot open.
"Kenna," he said, gently pushing her away. "Not tonight."
"What is wrong?" she asked, looking like she was about to cry. "Did I do something wrong?"
He sighed and took Kenna into his arms and hugged her. While it was true he did love her, his thoughts were elsewhere tonight. He rubbed circled across her back, not romantically, but in a way that was almost friendly. He felt Kenna bury her head in his leather vest.
"Where were you this night?" she mumbled, arms hugging his waist.
"In the kitchens." Bash answered automatically. It was not a complete lie.
"Oh." she breathed.
An awkward silence passed between the couple.
All Bash could think of was Mary lying in bed by herself without anyone by her side. Most nights she had Francis, but he was not here to comfort her tonight; and Mary was in a state where she needed to be told she was loved. His brother could only express his love one way, and it was not a way that Bash liked to think about. Mary was often disregarded by her husband, her opinions meant nothing to him.
"Bash?" Kenna prodded, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yes?" he replied, looking down at his wife.
"Come to bed?" Kenna asked, although it said more as a statement then a question. She leaned up and kissed his cheek before bouncing off towards the bed. Bash sighed and followed. He would get little sleep tonight.
. . .
The next morning Bash rose before Kenna. It was early, but not early enough for the courtiers and servants to still be asleep. His wife made no move when he got out of bed and donned his clothes. Bash ran a quick hand through his hair and exited the room. He tied the strings of his leather vest as he went, not caring how he looked. Nearly running through the hallways, Bash was determined to get to the throne room.
He turned the corner and immediately stumbled into somebody; a male figure, tall and strong.
"My apologies." Bash atoned before looking up at the man.
"Do not bother. You are forgiven."
Sebastian raised his eyes.
It was him, the man from the hallway. Only this time, he was dressed finely in the clothes of a nobleman. His facial features were warm and inviting. His smile was quick and steady. His posture a little too pompous and a little too stiff. There was a flicker of something behind his eyes, a flicker that Bash could not discern.
He did not trust this stranger. He did not trust him one bit.
The man gave a simple bow.
"Allow me to introduce myself," he began. "I am Condé, envoy to the English Parliament."
"Sebastian de Poitiers, Master of Horse and Hunt."